She abandoned her cold tea to investigate Diane Dauntry in Braydon’s library. The information could be useful. The dowager might be a forlorn hope, but Isabella might come around. Having news of her mother could help.
Sillikin accompanied her, but after a brief investigation flopped down in front of the fire.
“A pity you can’t read. You could make yourself useful.”
The Hartley family of Chipping Ongar.If the family had a peerage, they’d be in Mr. Debrett’s useful book. As soon as she opened it, however, she realized that unless the peerage title was also Hartley, she had no means of finding them there.
She found nothing under Hartley.
Next she checked a gazetteer, and there, under Chipping Ongar, she found Sir Allenby Hartley, baronet, of Keys Court. The mention was brief, however, and mostly about the house, which seemed ordinary enough. Probably not a wealthy family, and pleased for their daughter to become “my lady.” Had the fifth viscount married forlove, against his mother’s wishes? That could have been the seed for endless discord.
The library was well organized, which was hardly surprising, and all the reference works were in one section. She hunted for something else and found that Mr. Debrett also had a book about baronets. There she found the detail she needed. Sir Allenby was married to Catherine Forbes, daughter of Sir Charles Forbes of Cheshunt. He had issue, a son, Allenby Forbes Hartley, a daughter Susanna Maria, who was married to Henry Filstowe, Esquire, of Tonbridge, Kent, and a daughter Diane Alice, married to Viscount Dauntry of Beauchamp Abbey, Gloucestershire.
Kitty checked the date of publication. Only five years ago, but the entry had been technically correct. Diane had still been married to the fifth viscount at that time. It was no business of Mr. Debrett’s if a couple chose to live apart.
She made a note of all the details.
Sillikin stood, stretched, and came over with a look that strongly suggested a walk.
“In a moment. Should I write or should I visit?”
The dog whined.
“If you’re in a hurry, it will have to be without me.” Kitty opened the door and called for Edward. Sillikin greeted the footman like a relieving army and went with him without hesitation.
Putting aside grievance over that, Kitty returned to her problem. She was tempted to order a coach and rush out to Chipping Ongar. But on a short winter day it could be dark by the time she arrived, and the Hartleys might be elsewhere.
She’d do the sensible thing and write. It was a delicate letter to compose, but she tried for a sympathetic tone and asked if they knew about Diane’s whereabouts, asshe wanted to give the information to her daughter, who had lost so many of her family.
Her signature presented an unexpected dilemma. She knew she must use her title as her last name, but should it be Kitty or Kathryn? Lady Cateril had given her a deep dislike of being Kathryn, but Kathryn Dauntry seemed more dignified.
She realized she was still troubled by Dauntry’s reaction to the officers and Kit Kat.To Hades with that!Kitty she was, and Kitty she would always be. She signed Kitty Dauntry, then folded and sealed the letter. She put the letter in the foyer for Edward to take to the post office.
Next, she summoned her courage and invaded the servants’ quarters. Henry had told her that the ruler of the kitchen was a Mr. Kingdom, who was surly and easily angered, though he’d melted for Sillikin. Kitty hoped that would count in her favor, but she must confront him. She was now mistress of this establishment.
The cook did seem surly, but he was also short, fat, and had a patch over one eye. “Yuz, milady?” he growled in a heavy accent, perhaps from Worcestershire. “Y’ave a complaint?”
Kitty resisted a desire to back out of the small room. “Not at all, Kingdom. Everything’s been excellent. I merely wondered if you had all that you need.”
“Yuz, milady.” She could almost hear him thinking,Except the space you’re taking up.
A pot simmered on a very compact stove. The wooden table was spread with vegetables. Did the servants eat in here? With the addition of Henry, it would be crowded. Perhaps the cook was surly because of that.
Kitty still wanted to retreat, but she held her ground. “The stove is quite small. I assume you buy baked meats.”
“Yuz, milady.”
“And bread and cakes.”
“I sometimes make his lordship’s favorites, milady.” Reluctantly, he added, “Is there aught you’d like, milady? While you’re here.”
Kitty was very tempted to reprimand him for that, but if Braydon kept such a servant, he must value him.
“Stewed oysters,” she said. “Thank you. Carry on.” She left, blowing out a breath.What an odd creature.She soon found Henry and asked about Kingdom.
“He was a ship’s cook,” Henry said, “so he’ll be used to a confined kitchen. I understand many of the sets of rooms here don’t have one at all—only a hob on a fire where a pot can be boiled. He’s more bark than bite. I think he’s nervous around women, and aware he’s not the prettiest sight.”
“He might have feared I’d try to get him turned off? Poor man. Though he did make it clear he expects me to soon be gone.”
